brown



(No Model.) v e 8heetsSheet 1. J. L. BROWN. SPINNING TOP.

No. 501,321. Patented July 11, 1893.

6 Shet's-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

J. L. BROWN.

SPINNING TOP.

o. 501,321. Patented July 11,1893

Wiener.

IIIIIIIII 6 Sheets-Sheet 3.

(N0 Mqdel.)

' J. L. BROWN;

SPINNING TOP.

No. 501,321. I Patented July 11,1893.

(No Model.) 6 Sheets-Sheet 4.

. L, BROWN.-

SPINNING TOP. No. 501,321. Patented July 11,1893.

far/mun? (No Model.) 6 SheetsSh eet 5. J. L. BROWN.

SPINNING TOP.

No.'50'1,321. Patented July 11, 1893.

(No Model.)

6 Sheets-Sheets. J. L. BROWN.

SPINNING TOP.

Patented July 11, 18-93.

JAMES LOOKHART BROWN, OF GLASGOIV, SCOTLAND.

SPINNING TOP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 501,321, dated July 11,1893.

Application filed May 21, 1892. Serial No. 433,873. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES I LOOKHART BROWN, draftsman, of 14 CathedralStreet, Glasgow, in the county of Lanark, Scotland, have inventedImprovements in Spinninglops, of which the following is a specification.

This invention which relates to improvements in spinning tops has forits chief object the production of tops whose special features ofnovelty are that besides being capable of spinning in one direction witha speed continually lessened, as a common top spins, they are inaddition through the operation of my improvements capable of being spuns as not only to remain upright instead of falling down when thatspinning is about to cease, and also when it has stopped, but also tohave their spinning immediately thereafter renewed and for some timeaccelerated in the opposite direction to that in which they spunprevious to the aforesaid stopping.

In carrying out my said invention I employ a fly wheel, or I employ as afly wheela heavy rimmed solid or hollow top, and in the simplest formwhich my improvements take, I combine this fly wheel or heavy rimmed topwith a light hollow or solid top as hereinafter described andillustrated by the drawings annexed, in such a way that each of the twocan be left spinning oppositely to the other by the pulling off of acord suitably wound about the stem, and can thereafter spinindependently each of the other save for friction.

In the drawingsFigures l to inclusive illustrate the simplest way inwhich I carry out my improvements, and of these Figs. 1 and 2 aresectional elevation and plan respectively showing the combination of thefly wheel and light top, and Figs. 3, 4 and 5 are part elevationsshowing various methods of winding the spinning cord. Fig. 6 is asectional elevation of a modification of the stem and holder-knob, andFig. 7 is an elevation of same, showing the method of leading the cordin winding. Fig. 8 is an elevation showing a further modification of theholder and stem and the winding of the cord. Figs. 9 and 10 aresectional elevations showing a modification whereby the fly and itsspindle are contained entirely Within the light top, and Fig. 11 is aplan of a detail of same. Fig. 12 is a sectional elevation of amodification of the arrangement shown in Figs. 9 and 10, and Fig. 13 isa plan of the fly of Fig. 12. Fig. 14: is a sectional elevation showinga modification of the arrangement illustrated by Figs. 12 and 13 wherebyspinning is more easily accomplished. Fig. 15 is a part sectionalelevation of the stem of Fig. 14. Fig. 16 is an elevation of the sameshowing the winding and the position of the parts at beginning of thepull of the cord. Fig. 17 is a part sectional elevation showing afurther method of effecting connection and disconnection of the fly andlight top, and Fig. 17 is a sectional elevation of a loose pivot. Fig.18 is a plan of a detail of Fig. 17. Figs. 19 and 20 are a sectionalelevation and plan of another method of connection and disconnection.Fig. 21 is a part sectional elevation of Fig. 19. Figs. 22 and 23 aresectional elevation and plan showing a method I of connection by hookand loop, and Fig. 24 is a sectional plan showing a detail thereof.Figs. 25 and 26 are part sectional elevation and sectional plan showinga modification of hook and loop connection. Figs. 27 and 28 aresectional elevation and part plan showing my improvements applied to alight solid top. Fig. 30 is a sectional elevation showing a method ofconnecting the light top and fly by pendulum arms and clutch, and Figs.29, 29*, and 31 and 31, plans of various forms of clutch for same. Fig.32 is a sectional elevation showing another method of connecting anddisconnecting the fly and light top. Fig. 33 is a plan of same with thecover oif, and Fig. 34 is a sectional plan of a detail. Fig. 35 is anelevation of the stem of same, showing the winding for one of themethods of connection. Figs. 36, 36, and 36 are sectional detail planselucidating the action of the cord when wound as in Fig. 35. Fig. 37 isa part sectional elevation of a modification whereby reverse winding ofthe spinning cord is dispensed with. Fig. 37 is a sectional edge View ofthe upper part, and Figs. 37 and 37 are plans of details of same. Fig.38 is a sectional elevation showing out of gear another arrangement forutilizing ordinary winding. Fig. 38 is a part sectional View of same andshowing the arrangement in gear. is a plan of a detail of Fig. 38, andFig. 39 is a part sectional elevation illustrating two Fig. 38

modifications of the said gearing. Fig. 40 is a part sectional elevationof a modification in which optical illusions and chromatic effects areproduced.

In all the drawings the same reference letters and figures denote thesame parts.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 5 inclusiveI employ a fly wheel A, and I mountthis fly wheel on a spindle a having a female or a male center atitslower end, and I combine this fly wheel with a light hollow top B madein two or more parts joined as shown orotherwise. I provide the saidlight top B with a pivot 19 carrying a male or female center a and alsowith atubular winding stem 0 havingadrilled and flanged plug (Z in itsupper end as a bearing for spindle a. Onto that end of the fly spindle awhich projects beyond cl, I mount another winding stem D which I plug atits upper end with a drilled plug E. I also provide a holder knob orhandle e having a pin F forced into it, and which works easily in thehandle e and has a tight collar f formed or fixed on its lower end. Thefly spindle a works in the plug (2 and on the center 0, and the wholecombination has for its pivot the pivot b, so that the fly A and thelight top B can be spun and can continue to spin independently each ofthe other save for friction.

In order to set the above described com bination spinning'so that thefly A may sustain the light top B when Bs spinning has with the flysassistance been stopped and thereafter cause it to spin oppositely toits direction of spinning previous to the said stopping, I engage (seeFig. 3), a bead or a knot on the end of a cord G with a cord detainingpeg g fixed in the winding stem of the fly A and wind that cord say tothe left as shown. I then take hold of the holder or of B and pull offthe cord G, thus spinning A left handed. Immediately thereafter I engageand wind the same cord but lettered G right handed, as shown on the stemof B, with the help of the peg g, and I then allow the whole arrangementto hang by the holder or stand on the pivot b, and steadying it by e Ipull ed the cord G and so leave the fly A spinning left handed withinthe light top B, and B spinning right handed upon the pivot h, each atabout the same speed. WVhen the fly A and the light top B are thus leftspinning oppositely to each other then the fly A on account of itssuperior weight, and therefore greater stored up energy does by means ofits pivot friction at c, and its axle friction at d, and by means of thefriction due to the air inclosed or passing between itself and the lighttop assist the friction of the pivot h, and the friction of the airaround the light top B in slowing the right handed spinning of the saidlight top B, until that right handed spinning is by these means stopped,after which the fly A still rapidly spinning left handed does by itspivot and axle friction, and by the friction of the air between itselfand B cause B to begin spinning in the same direction as itself, thatis, for the present description, left handed, and does accelerate Bsspinning in that direction for some time, all of which is done withoutany danger of the light top falling down, since it is sustained by thespindle at of the fly A which fly is all the while stable in the planeof its own continuous rapid spinnlng.

In order that optical illusions and chromatic effects may be producedWhile the above described performance is proceeding, I cut one or moreopenings 77. in the upper side of B, and I paint any suitable device orarrangement of colors on the ripper side of the fly A, or I mountthereon a colored card h which may be changed at will. I paint the uppersurface of B in this case preferably black, and I apply the color morewidely and deeply as I approach the circumference of the card.\VhileAandBare spinningat difierent speeds in the same direction, or atthe same or different speeds in opposite directions, then the coloreddevice or varied coloring on the fly A or on the card it on the fly A,appears through the revolving opening or openings h of the top B in sucha way as to produce in some cases apparent change of color of the top orchromatic effect and in some cases apparent change of device or apparentrepeated and capricious reversal or standing still of the top which isoptical illusion. I may also place the colored card in the bottom of Bso that it can appear through one or more openings in the fly A andlight top B. Instead of winding as hereinbefore described, I may windthe cord G as before mentioned on C (see Fig. 3), and another cord G onD contrary to the cord G and spin by pulling both cords off at once.

Preferably I use one cord alone and wind the two parts or ends as inFig. 3, and spin according to the arrows by pulling off that cord by thebend or bight, shown in dotted lines.

As a modification of the method of winding two parts of the same cord incontrary directions I may wind as shown in Fig. 4, when I fix anotherpeg g (which I call a cord reversing peg) in O as shown. I then engagethe knot on the cord as shown with peg g in Fig. 4 and wind a part ofthe cord say right handed till I reach peg g I then turn the cord halfway around g and keeping it tight I proceed to wind another part of thecord left handed around D neglecting the peg g in D thus obtaining aneasier method of winding. When the cord as thus wound is pulled per thestraight arrow, the former part of it coiled about D spins both the flyA and the light top B as per the curved arrow, until or nearly until thecord reversing peg g is reached. Then the cord slips from off that saidpeg g and the latter part of the cord coiled about (3 spins the lighttop B alone oppositely to the now freely spinning fly A so that afterthe cord is all pulled off, the fly A and the light top B, are leftspinning oppositely and independently of each other save for friction.

As another modification than that last described I proceed as shown inFig. 5, so that instead of the cord on the stem D of the fly A draggingaround the light top during the former part of the pull off, the cord onthe stem (1 of the light top B drags the fly A around during that partof the pull E, thus making it possible to dispense with a great part ofthe stem D above the peggas shown in Figs. 6 and 7 to be hereinafterdescribed.

In Fig. the cord is shown engaged with the peg g and a part is woundright handed till the peg g is reached. The peg g is then brought abovethe peg g and the cord is strained tight over both pegs as shown, andthen after being brought down below g again another part is wound lefthanded over the part already wound right handed on O. The straining ofthe cord over the pegs g and g efiects a temporary connection betweenthe flyA and the light top B. WVhen the cord thus wound is pulled as perthe straight arrow, the light top B drags the fly around as per thecurved arrow, until or nearlyuntil the pegg is reached, immediatelyafter which the cord slips from both pegs and the remaining and reversewound part of the cord then spins the light top B alone oppositely tothe spinning of the fly A, so that the fly A and the light top B areleft spinning as before described in opposite directions. It remains tobe mentioned that in Figs. 1, 3, 4 and 5 J isa loose slightly projectingwasher between D and O to prevent the cord from falling or being draggedinto thegap between D and (J. Alsoin Fig. lj is a loose washer tominimize the end play of the fly spindle a so that if the top be spunwhile hanging from the hand by the holder, the joint at J shall not openso as to let the cord slip into it. In order to obtain a shorter windingstem so that the top may spin more steadily I cut down the stem D ofFig. 5 until it remains as a mere collar carrying a peg as shown inFigs. 6 and 7, where D is the said remaining collar and g is the cordreversing peg which it carries. The said collar D is telescoped over theend of the stem 0 to prevent jamming of the cord and flanged above toprevent the cord from being dragged into the gap between itself and theholder 6, which is mounted loosely on the projecting end of the flyspindle a, and furnished with a female center K let into it and in whichruns a male center formed on the upper end of a, so as to diminishfriction on the pin it if the top be held down while the cord is beingpulled. The pin it; inserted through the holder has its point engaged ina groove in the spindle a in order that the top may be spun whilehanging from the hand by the holder 6. The collar D is fixed to thespindle a so as to drive it around and the re maining parts aresubstantially the same as in Fig. 1. Fig. 7 shows the leading of thecord when winding and the method and its results are the same asdescribed for Fig. 5. In order still more to shorten the winding stemwith the object before mentioned, I may employ the further modificationsof Windingstem shown in Fig. 8 by adopting which I' dispense with thepeg g and collar D of Figs. 6 and 7. The internal parts not shown inFig. 8, are shown in Fig. 9 in this modification. I place the spindle aof the fiy A entirely within the winding stem 0 of the light top B. Theupper end of spindle a has a male center formed on it and works in adrilled and female centered plunger L, sliding freely inside of O, whichis plugged at its upper end with a flanged plug 9 having formed on it orfixed to it the holder pin F. Between 61 and L is interposed a spiralspring Z strong enough to prevent end shake of spindle a, withoutcreating such friction at the upper and lower centers of a as tointerfere with the independent contrary spinning of A and B after thecord has been pulled off. I. make the holder pin F project through theholder'e and allow the holder 6 to rest on the plug d and retain it onthe pin F by the pin 70. In Fig. 8, only the pegs g and g are required,and one part of the cord is wound from g in one direction up to 9 It isthen turned half around 9 and another part wound oppositely down thestem C again as shown. When the stem is long as shown in Fig. 9, then inaddition to the pegs g and 9 I place another peg 9 near 9 so that thecord knot, may, if preferred, be engaged by g and -Or the cord may bereversed over g and g as shown. In order that the greatly shortened stemobtained by the modification shown in Fig.8 may be used, Iprovide meanswhereby the light top and the fly can be conuected and disconnected atthe proper moment while pulling the cord, and Figs. 9 and 10 illustratethis said means, in carrying out which I make the roof of the light topB to be elastic so that it can be deflected by pressure on the holder 6,as shown in Fig. 10, un-

til the serrated annular face o' at the lower end of the light topsspindle O, indents and grips an india rubber or other suitable washer Mmade fast to the fly A. When this is done and the cord is wound eitheras per Fig. 8 01' Fig. 10, and pulled as per straight arrow, thenpressure on the holder e being maintained, the light top B drags aroundthe fly A as per curved arrow. This pressure being smartly relaxed, asby lifting the top when the cord is seen to be near the reversing peg orpegs, the result is that the top Bis disconnected from the fly A andleft free to be reversely spun independently of it, as per curved arrow,by the remaining part of the cord. Fig. 11 shows the washer M in detailhaving arms m and m, which are bent down between the arms of the fly Aas clearly shown in Figs. 9 and 10, and thereafter bound to the hub ofthe fly A below the arms by strong thread or thin wire, in addition towhich I may useany suitable cement. The remainder of Figs. 9 and aresubstantially the same as parts already described. Instead of theserrated lower end of O and the washer M, I may employ a pin clutch or agrooved and tongued clutch such as are shown in Fig. 12.

Figs. 12 and 13 show a modification of the method of connecting anddisconnecting which has for its object to obviate the necessity ofmaking the roof of B, elastic, and so diminish the amount of pressurenecessary on the holder 6, thus producing a stiffer and stronger lighttop B in which the winding stem 0 is less likely to be bent out of trueby use. In carrying out this said modification I construct the light topB, with a rigid roof and I make the winding stem 0 tubular, and furnishit with the mountings d, e, F, g, 9 713, I1, and Z, the same as detailedin describing Fig. 9. But instead of fixing O rigidly to B, I arrange itto slide under pressure on the holder ethrough a short flanged tube mfixed to the roof of B, and I utilize the spring Z to return 0 when thatpressure is relaxed. On the lower end of 0,1 fix a short flanged orlugged tubular piece N and in the flange of one or both of the lugs ofN, I fix a pin or pins or a screw it whose head engages with theprojectingtail of the pin orpins or screw 92 in the flange of m Acrossthe lower annular face of the flange piece N, I sink suitable recessesor grooves or a groove as is clearly shown in Fig. 12, and on the upperface of the hub of the fly A, I form tongues or a tongue n to engagewith the.aforesaid groove. In the stem Gin addition to the peg g Iprovide another peg g at a suitable distance from g. The holder 8 issubstantially the same as that in Fig. 9. The cord being engaged bymeans of its knot with the pegs g and g it is wound as in Fig. 8.Pressure being put on ethe stem 0 descends until the groove in N iseither in gear with the tongue 02 or till Ns descent be stopped by thetongue 11?. The cord being then pulled the piece N if not yet engagedwith n slips around till its recesses engage with the tongue n in thefly A, and at the same time the pin it being out of gear with the pin n,the stem 0 by its clutch N drives around the fly A without the light topB being at the same time positively dragged around. I may also adoptthis arrangement when I desire to apply my improvements to a light solidtop, by making the fly in the form of a heavy rimmed hollow top, andplacing the light solid top within it as hereinafter explained. Onseeing that the cord has been pulled off to within a coil or two of thecord reversing peg g the operator smartly relaxes pressure or lifts thetop while still steadily pulling. By this relaxing pressure or liftinghe causes the clutch N to take up the position in which it is shown inFig. 12, and as soon as the cord has slipped from off g he, by theremaining and contrary coiled part of the cord spins the light top Boppositely to A. When after thus spinning the holder 6 is let go, thespring I keeps the clutch N as shown in Fig. 12, and A and B are thusleft spinning oppositely and independently save for friction. The otherparts in Fig. 12 not mentioned are the same as parts previouslydescribed. In all the arrangements as yet described I would have itunderstood, that the knot on the end of the cord may be placed at optionat either side of the peg g or in this case 9 and g so that the lighttop may be made to reverse either from right hand spinning to left hand,or vice versa. To obviate the necessity of the skill required to relaxpressure on the holder at the right moment, I modify the arrangementjust described as per Figs. 14, 15 and 16. In this modification theparts cl, L, 1,01 and n of the modification shown in Fig. 12 are notused. The fly spindle projects beyond 0 and the holder runs loose on itsprojecting end as before shown in Fig. 6. The cord knot and reversingpegs are located on C inversely to those in Fig. 12. C is hushed at itsends as shown in Fig. 15 at c. The clutches N and n are of the ordinaryclawed form. A pin P in the stem 0 works in a slot P formed in thesleeve on in which 0 turns freely. In winding the cord as shown wound atFig. 16, the top is held in the left hand and when the cord is turnedover cord g I utilize the pull to turn the pin P toward the position ithas in Fig. 16, so that on account of the form of the slot P, theclutches N andpt are brought into or nearly into gear. When the cord ispulled to spin the top as in Fig. 16, then the clutches are put fullyinto gear by the pull of the cord forcing P to the position shown inFig. 16. Immediately after the cord has slipped from the reversing pinas in Fig. 14, C and its pin P are dragged around by the reverse coiledpart of the cord, so that P is jerked to the position shown in Fig. 14,and on account of the form of the slot P the stem 0 is thereby raisedand lifts the clutch N out of gear with it, and B is left free to bespun oppositely to A. That the friction of the fiyspindle running in itsbushes c in C may not turn 0 and the pin P from its position in Fig. 14,back to its position in Fig. 16, that end of the slot Where the pin isshown in Fig. 14., droops suitably as clearly shown, P being the highestpart of the leading edge of the slot. The-top might be damaged by beingspun with wrong reverse winding of the cord. Therefore I bevel the cordreversing peg g as shown in Fig. 24:. And in all cases in which thispegis beveled I preferably locate it on the stem so that the knot cannotbe engaged with it, as by means of the said peg g and an adjacent flange(see Fig. 8) by mistake as this would defeat the object of the beveling.I may employ a claw formed clutch instead of the friction clutch in thetop shown in Figs. 9 and 10 or in that of Fig. 12.

In any top herein described I may dispense with the lower pivot of thehollow outer top B, and I illustrate this modification by Fig.

IIO

17. In the modification now under notice I employ pressure and releaseof pressure on the holder. The construction of the top in Fig. 17, isthe same as that in Figs. 9 and 10, only that the light top B has nolower pivot and that instead of employing a central clutch and elasticroof,I fix a pin 19 in the fiy A and attach a fiat spring Q, bentifnecessary as shown in Fig. 17 to the under side of Bs rigid roof andadopt preferably the short stem as in Fig. 8, but with the cord pegsinversely located, that, is. the peg g is above the peg g The spindle aof the fly A projeets and works through a central hole or a bearingfixed in Bs lower side. Pressure being given on the holder 6 the lighttop B descends untilthe spring Zis fully closed,and the spring Q is in aposition to engage with the pin 19, though perhaps deflected at one endby p. I make 11 to be still clear of Bs roof when Z is thus fullyclosed. On the cord now being pulled Q slips off from p, if it has beenresting thereon and drives round the fly A by p. The location given tothe knot peg and cord reversing peg in this top I adopt preferably inall tops requiring pressure on 'the holder during a former part of thepull of the cord while spinning them, and relaxation of such pressure orlifting of the top immediately previous to the beginning of a latterpart of the said pull, in order that this top and such tops may be woundso that the cord by its uncoiling can be taken to indicate to theoperator that the end of the period for downward pressure has arrived.And in this top and tops requiring pressure on the holder during aformerpart of the pull of the cord while spinning them, and relaxation of thatpressure previous to the beginning of a latter part of the said pull, IWind the cord so that it shall on being pulled to spin the top uncoilduring a former part of the said pull downward of the stem, and I adoptthis method of winding in the case of this top and such tops as a meansof facilitating the suitable lifting up of them or relaxation ofpressure as before mentioned as follows. I employ the cord to be takento indicate to the operator by its near approach to the end of itsdownward uncoiling, that the end of the period for downward pressure hasarrived, so that the operator may the more suddenly relax pressure bysmartly lifting the top. In this case I make the pin 9 longenough toengage in a Wide groove in the fly spindle a, as indicated in Fig. 17,and so prevent the fly A from falling to the bottom of B, when B islifted. Pressure on the holder 6 being relaxed the light top B isreturned by the spring Z to the position shown and thus left free to bespun oppositely to A. I may fit the spring Q and the peg 10, in the topshown in Figs. 9 and 10, as a means of driving A, and I may attach Q tothe piece N in the top shown in Fig. 12, and dispense with the groovesin N, and Imay also fit pin p to the same tops fiy A, and dispense withthe side of As rim.

tongue M. In the top shown in Fig. 14:, Imay substitute the same springand pin for the central clutches of that top.

That I may utilize the weight of the fly in connecting B with A, I drilla hole or holes 11 in the bottom of B suitably located for engagementwith the pin 19 fixed in the under- In this modification I place theknot peg and reversing peg as in Fig. 8, and wind as in Fig. 8, and thespring Z, and plug L may be dispensed with and spindle Ct made longer,so as to work in the dotted female center in plug d. In spinning thistop the operator lets it hang from his hand by the holder 0, and I thusutilize the weight of the fly in effecting connection of B with A sincethe fly then falls and enables pin 19' to engage one of the holes 11 inthe lower side of B. I adopt the location given to the knot peg and cordreversing peg in this top, and which may be adopted in all topsrequiring to be held up during a former part of the pull of the cordwhile spinning them, and to be set down previous to the beginning of alatter part of said pull, in order that this top and such tops may bewound so that the cord by its uncoiling can be taken to indicate to theoperator, that the end of the period for holding up the top has arrived.I wind the cord so that it shall on being pulled to spin the top, uncoilduring a former part of the said pull upward of the stem, and during alatter part of said pull downward of the stem, and I adopt this methodof winding in the case of this top and such tops as a means of fa-.

cilitating the suitable setting down of them, as aforementioned asfollows. I employ the cord as a means for indication to the operator byits near approach to the end of its upward uncoiling, that the end ofthe period for holding up of the top has arrived. I may furnish thelower end of spindle a, as shown in Fig. 17, with a loose pivot 12retained on a. The top can then be lifted by the loose pivot 1) withoutstopping the fly A.

In carrying out my method of effecting connection by holding the top upand disconnection by setting it down, Ifurther adopt the modificationshown in Figs. 19 and 20,111 which the weight of the flyis utilized toassist in effecting disconnection when the top is set down. I drill orpunch a hole or holes 19 in the roof of B, and drive pins or a pin ofthe form shown at p in the rim of A to engage with these holes 19 Whenthe top is lifted by means of the holder 6 which runs loosely on theupperor projecting end of a, the light top B slides down till it stopson the pins or pin 19, or till it stops on the fly A with p engaged in ahole 6 as shown in Fig. 20. When the top is set down near the end of theformer part of the pull of the cord,no sooner has the pivot of the outertop touched the surface, whereon the. top is to spin, then the weight ofthe fly A assists the operator in effecting the disengagement of the pin19 from the hole b In this modification I prefer to the nextmodification.

fit I3 with a pivot, the same as shown in Fig. 17. The pivot shown inFig. 19 belongs to Ilocate the knot peg as described in connection withthelast modification and for the object there set forth, also I wind andemploy the cord as there described.

As a modification I may dispense with any assistance from the fiysweight, and effect connection of A with B by pressing the fly Adownward, as also shown by Figs. 19, 20 and 21. I fit the pivot 19 witha sufficiently stifi springZ,and aplungerL,and I employ pins or a pin 19of the form shown but fixed on the un derside ofA nearorin its rim. Ifix the spring Q to the inner surface of Bs lower side. I make the pin79 of such a length that when the plunger L is closed against the pivot19, as shown in Fig. 21, the pin 19 is clear of the bottom of B and yetin a position to be driven by Q. That the top may be lifted in effectingdisconnection of A and B, I may utilize the inward end of one of thecord pegs by engaging with a groove in a of such width that the fly cannot be lifted so as to rub against Bs roof. I locate the knot peg andcord reversing peg described in connection with my first description ofFig. 17, and wind and employ that winding for the purposes thereexplained.

In order to obtain a means of connection between A and B whollyinternal, and thus produce a top externally resembling an ordinary top,and not requiring the manual skill required to spin tops hereinbeforedescribed, as having their means of connection within the light top, Iadopt the modification shown in Figs. 22 and 23. Incarryingoutthismodification the construction throughout is the same asthat shown in Fig. 9, except that I fix only one cord reversing peg inthe stem 0, and that I dispense with any elasticity in the roof of B,the washer M, and the serration of the lower annular face of the stem 0.I also leave more space between the fly wheel periphery and the lighttop so that there is room left for the necessary movement of a wire loopR, which I place within the light top as shown, securing it by reversingits ends through two or three small holes drilled in the light top, asindicated at R. In the rim of the fly A I drive a hook or hooks r, asshown more clearly in the plan Fig. 23. The loop is preferably made ofthin piano wire and is so adjusted that when at rest it presses lightlyon the periphery of the fly A. When the former part of the cord is begunto be pulled off, so as to spin B as per the outer arrow in the plan,then R catches in one of the hooks 0' as shown and drags A around, andwhen the cord has slipped from the peg g and the contrary spinning of Bis begun, the loop R is disengaged from the hook a and thrown outagainst the light tops sideby centrifugal force, thus leaving B free tobe spun contrary to A. As the speed of B becomes reduced the end of loopR, returns if made sufficiently elastic, into the path of the hooks 0*previous to the stoppage of B. The hooks then rub past the loop end orstrike it in their passage, and thus the loop R and hooks r, assist inproducing stopping, reversal and acceleration in that reversed directionof the spinning of the light top B. As the loop R. might be damaged bythe top being spun with the cord wound and reverse wound with the knotat the wrong side of the knot peg g, I bevel away one side of the cordreversing peg g as shown in Fig. 24, so that the cord can only be heldby g when properly wound. The peg g may also be thus beveled, but is notso treated when I desire that the operator may spin the light top B,contrary to the outer arrowin plan, by non-reversed winding if hechooses. I may employ two or more loops R, as well as any number ofhooks '1'.

As a modification of the method just described, I may attach the loops Rto the fly A, instead of to the light top B, as shown in Figs. 25 and26, and I may arrange two sets of hooks r and loops B, so that it shallbe immaterial to which side of the knot peg g the knot is placed whenthe cord is to be reversely wound. In carrying out this modification Imake the flyAwith a deep rim. Inside of that rim I attach an upper loopor loops R so as to engage with the upper hook or books 0 fixed in thedrum S carried by the light top B and partly situated within the rim ofA. In this drum S, I further fix a lower hook or hooks r pointingoppositely to the hooks W, as seen clearly in Fig. 26, and in the rim ofA, I fix a loop or loops R oppositely disposed to the loops B, so thatthe loops R may engage with the hooks r. I also locate the upper loop orset of loops R relatively to the lower loop or set of loops R on theinner side of the rim of A in such a way that when the loop or set ofloops R is en gaged with the hook or set of hooks r as in Fig. 26, thenthe loop or set of loops R is clear of the hook or set of hooks r, andvice versa. The drum S is fixed to or may be part of the light. top B,whose construction is otherwise the same as that of the light top B, inFig. 22, exceptthat the winding stem 0 is, as in Fig. 8. The ends of thewire forming the loops are shown in dotted lines, and are roved throughsmall holes in the rim at R, and I close the soft metal of the fiy uponthem, or I may otherwise attach them. On the light top 13 being spun asper arrow 1, in Figs. 25 and 26,

the hook 7' drags the fly A around by the loop R while centrifugal forcelays the loop R against the inner surface of the fiys rim as shown.WVhen thereverse wound part of the cord begins to spin B, as per arrow2, the hook r is disengaged from the loop R, which then is likewisetaken out of the way of the books 4", and the light top is thus leftfree to be spun oppositely to A. I may make my loop or loops of anydegree of stiffness, so that they shall return into the path of the hookor hooks earlier or later during the tops performance, according as theyare made stiffer or less stiff.

I place the hooks r at a lower level than the loops R in order that theymay never damage the loops B when the light top B is spun, as per arrow2, and the-hooks r are at a higher level than the loops R for a likereason. In this modification I may omit either the upper or the lowerhook and loop arrangement, in which case I suitably bevel one side of myknot peg or cord reversing peg g It is to be understood that in theselast modifications I do not limit myself to thus applying myimprovements to solid tops, but that I may also thus apply myimprovements to any suitable hollow top, as that in the figure.

When my improvements are applied to a solid top I proceed as shown inFigs. 27 and 28, in which B represents the solid top, being merely adisk of metal though it may have any other suitable form. A is the flyin the form of a heavy rimmed top, made in two or more pieces. I plugthe hollow spindle a of the fly A with a drilled plug E and in that plugI fix the holder pin F, which is furnished with a loose holder e ashereinbefore described. In the lower end of F I form a female center andbetween that center and the female center in the fly pivot a I place thesolid stem G of the solid top B, on the upper side of which I provide apin 10 which is caught by the hook of the spring 8 which is fixed insideof A, as shown, and is provided with a wire bridge 3 to keep it frombeing dragged out of form when A is dragging B around by the pin 19 Ipaint the upper surface of B in any way suitable to produce opticalillusion and chromatic effect, as for instance, as shown in strips whoseboundaries are involute curves, and whose colors I make, for instance,alternately red and blue. I make the whole as light as possible becausethe fiy A has to be reversely spun, as per arrow 2 on the plan Fig. 28,after that it has spun the light solid as per arrow 1, and when a heavyfly is necessary I may adopt the means of connection and disconnectionshown by Figs. 12 and 1 3, as hereinbefore described. When A is thusreversely spun, as per arrow 2, then the spring sis car- Tied out of thepath of pin p and kept out of the way of such until long after B hasbeen reversely spun by the friction at the centers of O and the airfriction. As the hook of 8 might be damaged by wrong reverse winding andspinning I bevel olf the proper side of the cord reversing peg and makethe flange of E so small that g cannot be used by mistake for a knot pegg. Though this modification is specially designed to meet therequirements of solid tops, yet I may in the same way apply myimprovements to any suitable hollow top. In order to utilize gravitationto secure connection by means wholly internal in addition to utilizingcentrifugal force as a means of securing sudden disconnection, I adoptthe modification shown in Fig. 30, and in which I drill two holes nearthe hub of the fly A, one at each end of a diametrical line. Througheach hole I drop a loose fitting pin or pendulum arm T, which I restrainfrom falling out when the top is inverted, by grooving it at t andspring a small wire ring into the said groove. Each pin t has a head ifas shown, so that it cannot fall through the hole in which it works. Thepin holes are widened outward below to allow the pendulum arms T toswing out to their dotted positions. The pivot b of the top B is fixed,in the example shown, directly to the body of the top B and on theinward continuation of the pivot wherein the female center for thespindle a is formed I fit a clutch N shown in plan in Fig. 31. The flyAbeing at rest if the top B be spun as per arrow 1, then the clutch Nwill engage with the arinsT which are then hanging as in full lines, andthe fly A will be driven around by the top 13. When reverse spinning isbegun, N will release the arms which are then instantly flung out totheir dotted positions by centrifugal force, thus leaving B free to bespun oppositely to A.

Besides the form of clutch shown in Figs. 30 and 31, I may employ anyone of the clutches shown in Figs. 29, 29 and 31 Fig. 31 is a one waydriving clutch and in using I bevel one side of the reversing peg. Fig.29 is a two way driving clutch and its object is to diminish the shockwhich can be given to the arms by any one jerking the outer top aroundbackward and forward in trying to guess how it is worked, and Fig. 29 isa two way driving clutch and its object is to assist centrifugal forceby means of its eccentric back tending to throw the arms T out of gearshould there be any danger of their becoming stiff from dust or othercause.

In order to utilize the strain that isput on the spinning cord as it iscoiled around the stem 0, for the purpose of accomplishing connection ofthe top B with the fly A,I adopt the modification shown in Fig. 32, andfurther illustrated by Figs. 33 to 36 inclusive. In carrying out thismodification'I groove the plug d of the stem 0, as shown in Fig. 34:,which is a sectional plan of the stem 0 in the plane of sectioncoinciding with the axis of the screw 25. Down through the groove I passa straight wire 25 to serve as a spring and I secure it by the screw twhich is screwed through the thimble U, which I use in order to obtain agood hold for the screw thread and also because it keeps the mouth of 0from being bulged by the driving of the plug 01, and I secure the plug dstill further from turning and carrying the groove and wire 25 away fromthe point of the screw 25 by driving into it theknot peg g. I drill andfemale center theplug d and make to work in it the upper end of the flyspindle a. the top 13, and near the foot of 0, before fixing on theflanged piece u, I solder on a small hub u. I then drill a hole throughthis hub ICC Outside of and through 0, and after filing away the lowerhalf of the huh, I drive on the flange to right up against it, thusObtaining a passage for the plunger V to slide in without turning. Inotch the outer end of the plunger V to receive the winding cord, and Inotch the inner end of it, as shown in Figs. 36, 36 and 36*,t0 catchhold of one or other of the toothlike ridges 0 formed in the fly spindleat opposite the plunger by filing out between them or otherwise. Inorder that the ridges on fly spindle a may not slip from the grip of thenotch in V by deflection I fit the lower end of the tube 0 with a bush'0 and I slot this bush where the wire spring 15 has to pass, and drillit where the plunger has to pass. To secure this bush from turning, Idrive into it the cord reversing peg and to prevent the plunger V fromentirely leaving the passage it works in, I may drive a small pin a intothe flange of C, as seen in Fig. 35. The notch in the inner end of thepin or plunger V is made deep enough not only to grip the fly spindleridges or teeth, but also to accommodatethe end of the spring F, asshown in Fig. 36. This top may be reversely wound either way, and themethod of winding is shown in Fig. 35 where the cord is shown righthanded down C, then half turned round the peg g then strained tightacross the end of the plunger V, thus forcing it into the position shownin Fig. 36, so as to grip the fly spindle, and finally the remainingpart of the cord is wound left hand upward on C. When the cord thuswound is pulled then 0 turns, as per arrow 1, in Fig. 36, and the top Bdrags the fly A around with itself. By refer-ring to Figs. 36 and 36 inconnect-ion with Fig. 35,it will be seen that the spinning cord releasesthe plunger V, and so disconnects A and B, about one half of a turn of0, previous tothe cord slipping from the reversing peg 9 so that if thecord be properly wound, reverse spinning of B cannot be begun by thecord until B is disconnected from A. Fig. 36 represents a position abouta sixth of a turn of Cafter the release of V,and Fig. 36 shows theimmediately succeeding position, when the cord slips from off thereversing peg g and passes to and pulls from the opposite side of C, soas to revolve O as per arrow 2, and independently of the flyA, whosespindle a is, as shown,free from the grip of the plunger, and spinningas per small arrow.

In the construction shown in Fig. 33 the top B and the fly A areconstructed and arranged substantially as shown in Fig. 32 and therein Ialso illustrate a modification whereby a ratchet Wheel X fixed to Bdrives the fly A, by acting on the pawl 10, which is mounted on asuitable joint pin 10 screwed or driven into the fly A, in the rim ofwhich I drive a pin 10 to prevent the pawl w from being flung so farback as to rack the spring w. Into the hub of the pawl w I drive a pinto which stops against the rim of the fly, as shown in the plan, so thatthe driving point of the pawl when the top is being put together cannotget nearer to the axis of the top than the radius at the bottom of theratchet teeth. By these means I secure that the upper part of B canquite easily be fitted on to the lower part in making the top. Theratchet wheel X has a drilled hub and is secured to the stem 0 by thehub being forced therein and pinned with the knot peg g, which I placeat the bottom of C in this case. The parts shown in Fig. 32, and notmentioned in this description, are not required in carrying out thismodification.

The spindle a passes easily through the drilled hub of the ratchet wheelX and works above in the plug d, as shown. In this case I bevel one sideof the cord reversing peg which I 110W place near the upper end of O. Imake the flange of d so small that g cannot be used by mistake for aknot peg. In order that the simultaneous opposite spinning of A and Bobtained by the reverse winding of two ends or parts of the spinningcord, as described with reference to Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive, which hasthe fiys spindle a projecting beyond Bs stem may be accomplished,without the trouble of such reverse winding, I adopt a modification ofthat top, as illustrated in Figs. 37, 37, 37 and 37. Instead of windingone end of the cord on a tubular stem fixed to the projecting part ofthe spindle of the fly A, I utilize that projecting part to carry astraddle or forked bracket or turning easily on it and carrying thebevel pinions as and :r which run freelyon the pins Y and Y secured tothe bracket by the screws 3 and 3 passing through holes in the ends ofthe pins Y and Y In the upper end of O I fix a bevel wheel x and in thelower end a bush at, as clearly shown, and the spindle a runs freely inthese, and is restrained from end shake by the bush m and its bearing inpivot h. The bevel wheel 00 is secured first on a by the screw 1 orotherwise. The upper end of the bracketat is plugged with a tapped plugY through which I pass a tight fitting milled headed screw Z having ahardened point and a female center therein. The plug Y is prevented fromslipping out of its place by a small pin or screw Fig. 37. The uppermale center on the spindle a works in the female center of the screw Z,so that by working the screw Z through the plug Y, the adjustment of thebracket or is effected, so that the bevel wheels as and 00 shall not betoo deep in gear with the bevel wheel 00 and so also that when the bevelwheel as is in easy working gear with the bevels 22' and 00 it shall yetbe clear of the bracket at at Z, as shown. When these conditions arefulfilled and the screw 1 is set up tight, then though the top be firmlyheld down to steady it while spinning it, yet the gearing works with theminimum of friction, since all the pressure is sustained by the centersof the spindle and by the screw Z and the pivot 12,110 downward pressurebeing transmitted to the body of the light top B, nor to the gearing.Over the stem 0 I fit a vulcanite or other light sleeve C to increasethe diameter of the stem, and I restrain G from turning by drivingthrough it into the stem 0 the knot peg g. As may be seen in Fig. 37 Iutilize the inward ends of the pins Y and Y whereon the bevels w and :2run, to assist in steadying the bracket w, by fitting them as bearingson the spindle a. At the upper end of the shank of the bracket w,

I fix a light fitting ring y, of light wood or other material. I thentake a light short tube g closed at the upper end and notched at thebottom, so as to engage with the screw heads y and g and be by themrestrained from descending too low and from slipping around on thebracket. I slip this tube 11 on the ring y and push it down till itsnotches engage the screw heads aforesaid and utilize it, both as a dustcover to the gearing, and as a holder for the top, and further as analternative means of spinning the top, and as its behavior is afeatureof interest while the top is spinning, I place a star or other device onits upper end that its behavior may be more easily observed. When thetop B is spun as per arrow 1, the holder 3 and bracket a: being at thesame time restrained from turning, by being held in the hand, then thefly A is simultaneously spun opposite to B by the bevel gearing. Whenthe cord has been pulled off and the holder let go, then A and Bcontinue spinning oppositely. The holder 3 is at first then a feature ofinterest, as on being let go instead of at once beingspun around withthe top B, it is caused by the gearing to begin slowly to turnoppositely to B, and has its speed increased in that direction as B hasits speed diminished.

As a modification I may dispense with the screw y, and inlieu thereof,fix a spline or key y in the spindle a and slot apassage,Fig. 37, for itin the bevel wheel m so as to enable m to slide freely on a. I then fixa pin g so that its point shall engage with a groove y turned in a wideenough to allow the spring g which I now place inside the shank ofbracket 00 to lift the bracket, and the gearing carried by it, out ofgear with bevel 00 when after pulling off the cord from O the holder ifis let go. I thus insure that A and B shall be connected while the topis being held down during the pull of the cord, but entirelydisconnected, save at their bearings after the holder is let go, thusreducing the Wear of the gearing. When this is done the holder if leftto itself no longer behaves during the tops performance as previouslydescribed. I 'employ three screws like that shown at b to hold the twoparts of B together, but I may adopt any other convenient means.

I may omit one of the pinions w or 00 as to leaving its pin Y to assistin steadying the bracket at and thus simplify the gearing.

I may combine both the modifications just described in one top, so asthat by pushing down the holder g and setting up the screw y, thegearing shall always remain in gear and the top be then inverted, whileby slackening the screw y the gearing shall be out of gear except whenthe holderis pressed down.

With the object of dispensing with the re- Verse winding of two parts ofthe cord when the fly wheel and its spindle are entirely within the topB, and also in order to obtain simpler gearing more easy of constructionI adopt the modification shown in Figs. 38, 38 and 38. In carrying outthis modification I provide a light stifit' sheet metal bridge 7,secured diametrally across the lower part of B, as shown, by screws orotherwise. At the center of bridge 7,1 fix a drilled bearing piece 8,and arrange the fly spindle a to run therein, and also in the center ofpivot b. On the upper end of a which projects above 8, I fix a spurpinion 9 of suitable diameter.

Through the stem 0 of the upper part of B, I pass a strong, stiff,preferably steel, rod or wire F, of a suitable length beyond the stem tothe outside and to the inside of the top B, and having that part of itwhich projects inside B straight but set at an angle with the tops axisby bending the said set end of the wire. F carries a pinion 10 workingfreely on it and having a long hub. Over the long hub of 10 I force theclose coiled part of a spiral spring 11 and secure it to thesaid hub bysolder or otherwise. That part of the spring 11 which does not surroundthe hub is open coiled as shown and has at its end an eye formed, asseen in Fig. 38", through which I pass a small screw and secure that endof the spring to the top as shown. Over the outward or upper end of thewire F I slip a short light spring 12, and above the spring an adjnstable collar 13, and finally I fix the holder knob e tightly on to theremaining part of the wire F. When the parts described are properlyadjusted, and in the position shown in Fig. 38, then A and B aredisconnected save for their bearings. 'When pressure is put on e tosteady the top during the pull of the cord then the inward portion ofthe Wire or rod F descending pushes the pinion '10, as per arrow 14,into gear with the pinion 9, as shown in Fig. 38, without in so doingappreciably extending the spring 11. have thus been put sufficiently ingear the stop collar 13, prevents further descent of the holder 6 andthe wire F. On the cord now being so as to spin B, as per arrow 15, thenIIO YVhen the pinionsthe wire F being restrained from turning by thehand which grasps the holder 6, the top by means of the spring 11revolves jthepihion 10 about the wire F, in the 'same'direction asitself, and therefore the pinion 9"and the fly A, are oppositely spun toB. "On the holder 6 being let go when the cord has been all pulled off,the spring 12"returns the wire F upward and the pinion 10 is taken outof gear in the direction contrary to the arrow 14, and A and B aredisconnected and left free to spin oppositely and independently save forfriction.

In order to dispense with the spring 12, I adopt the modification shownin Fig. 39, and in which I drill the hub of pinion 10 only partlythrough and form the end of the wire on which the pinion 10 works to bea male center as seen in dotted lines, and as aforesaid I omit thereturn spring 12 but retain the stop collar 13. Pressure on the holder 6in this case puts the pinion 10 into gear with pinion 9, by extendingthe spring 11 and carrying pinion 10 downward, as per arrow 16, to itsdotted position. When the holder 6 is let go the spring 11 contracts andrestores pinion 10 to the position shown in full lines. As a furthermodification, I arrange the parts so that the pinions 10 and 9 are atall times in gear, and I explain this modification with the assistanceof Fig. 39 as follows: I groove the wire F as shown at H in dotted linesand restrain it from sliding through 0 by engaging the innerpoint of theknotpeg g to work freely in that groove. I fix the collar 13 on the wireF,as per dotted lines, so as to maintain the point of g in the groovewhen the top is held down, and I adjust the pinion 9 on the fly wheelspindle, as shown in dotted lines, so that when the two parts of the topB are put together the pinion 9 is sufficiently in gear with the pinion10. I retain in this modification the male center on the end of wireF'working in the hub of the pinion 10 as shown. The behavior of theholdere now becomes a feature of interest during the tops performance ashereinbefore described.

As a modification of my hereinbefore described method of producingoptical illusion and chromatic effect, I may proceed as illustrated byFig. 40, which is a part sectional elevation of the top, shown in Fig.12, but in Fig. 40, I wish B to be understood not only as a light topwhen A then will be understood as a fly, but also B to be alternativelyunderstood as being a heavy rimmed hollow top or fly, when A then willbe a light top. In carrying out this modification I cut an opening oropenings h in B, and I color or paint the rim of B any suitable color orcolors or black. I also paint or color a segment 17,0r successivesegments of the rim of A black, or with any suitable color or colors,alternate or different paints or colors being applied to suecessivesegments. When A and B are spinning at difierent speeds in the samedirection or at the same or different speeds in opposite directions,then if the rim be viewed optical illusions and chromatic effects areproduced by these means as described.

I claim-- 1. A spinning top having two rotatable parts, one part havinga support adapted to sustain the entire top, andthe other part havforrotating the said parts simultaneously in opposite directions, as andfor the purposes described.

2. A spinning top having two rotatable parts orflies, one beingrelatively heavy, and one part having a bearing point whereby the entiretop is supported and the other part or fly having bearings in the firstsaid part, whereby it can rotate independently thereof, in combinationwith means for rotating the said flies simultaneously in oppositedirections, substantially as described.

3. A spinning top having an exterior rotatable shell B, and a heavy flywheel A within the shell, the bearings whereby the shell and fly wheelare free to rotate independently of each other, in combination withmeans for rotating the said shell and fly wheel simultaneously inopposite directions, substantially as described.

4. A spinning top having two independently rotatable parts, a stem forthe spinning cord, means for connecting the two parts together duringpart of the spinning operation to cause them to rotate in the samedirection, and the reversely wound cords upon the said stem,substantially as described.

5. A spinning top having two independently rotatable parts or members,one being relatively heavy, and one having a cord receiving stemprovided with a cord retaining peg and a cord reversing peg g and meansfor connecting the two members or parts of the top during a portion onlyof the spinning operation, and means for rotating the said parts inopposite directions simultaneously, substantially as described.

6. A spinning top having two parts or members which are independentlyrotatable, one of them being relatively heavy, and one being providedwith a stem for the winding cord a clutch between the two membersadapted to unite them during a portion of the spinning operation, andthe spinning cord reversely wound upon the said stem, substantially asdescribed.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

JAMES LOOKI-IART BROWN.

Witnesses:

JAMES YATE JOHNSON, Chartered Patent Agent, l15 St. Vincent/Street,

Glasgow.

DUNDAS PORTEOUS MCKINLAY, Draaghtsman, St. Vincent Street, Glasgow.

